Finished my Mini Art Quilt!

I simply can't wait! I participated in a Mini Art Quilt Swap on Craftster and I finally sent off my quilt today. My partner was really specific about what she wanted and I think I did pretty alright! First let me show the awesome quilt she made me:

It's a Gryffindor Crest! She chose my Harry Potter theme and did an excellent job. Can you believe it's only her first time doing paper piecing? I chose her Christmas theme and although I messed up a lot of it, I think I'm in love. It's super cute. It's a table square (like a table runner). She wanted something that didn't have a "top" in the design, meaning from every seat it makes sense. She also wanted the design to work with her possibly putting flowers in the middle or a center piece. So, without further ado....

In that picture you can see the layout, but it's really the details that make me love this Mini Art Quilt. Take a look...

It was a lot of fun using all the new stitches on my new sewing machine. There was an issue, however, with the decorative stitch that I used on the binding. It's all over the place. I think I may have some practice to do for that one.

How I did it: I didn't use a pattern. I just kind of made it up. It's around 2 ft x 2 ft. I've never done machine applique but I had a general idea. There is a good tutorial here. I prefer to use Heat 'N Bond.  (That stuff is AMAZING. I've been using it forever and it never ceases to amaze me.) That's pretty much it. Then just used craft batting. The back is the same fabric as the sky and I used double fold bias tape for the binding. Easy peasy. (Hint: If you need help with binding/bias tape, there is a great tutorial here. They do a hand sewn hidden stitch on the back instead of a top stitch. It depends on the look you're going for. I like do top stitches with a machine because it's quicker and I like the way it looks. In the picture above I did a decorative top stitch -- see the green swirlies on the red border? In her tutorial it would just be plain red.)

I thought it turned out pretty good! I think I'm done with swaps for a while, however. I've got another full size quilt to finish and an afghan I'm crocheting that I'd like to get done this year. Haha. Thanks for looking!

- Ms. 246

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday Everyone!

I decided to stop in and say hello and fill everyone in on what's been going on here lately:

Ryan and I played Cards Against Humanity last weekend. I love this game. The issue is that we have no friends so we have to invent fake players. Okay, they're not fake...we set up some of Luna's stuffed animals and pretend they're people. It's a bit like a 5-year-old's tea party except we're 25 and drinking alcohol. One thing I've learned....Those stuffed animals have dirty minds:


We had "Steak and Cake" at my parents' house for my mama's birthday. For a store bought cake, it was delicious. (I didn't have steak, I made myself some shrimp. Luna didn't have steak either. She got smooshed peas.)

I also took this picture of Mr. 246 while we were over there. We decided he looks like a giant midget or something. The proportions are just weird. Maybe something to do with the ceilings in the background?

We made some AMAZING flatbread pizza. Seriously, these were delicious. So good we decided that we're having these on Saturday night instead of take out.

I got my first letter from my pen pal! I immediately wrote one back and put it in the mail the next day. (It takes 3 stamps!) I even decided to write a letter to a friend back in Ohio. I think I might even write one to my brother soon. I just love the stamp she used. So fancy and European, haha:

I made Luna's Valentine's Day hat! (I've since then added two more rows to make it a "slouchy" beanie, but I haven't taken a picture of that yet.)

Luna went on her first "big girl" stroller ride. Up until this point we had her in the car seat snapped into the stroller:

Luna also continues to say "Nom nom nom!" when she's hungry:

For weigh-in today, I gained 1 pound. I figured I would. I only tracked food and stayed on goal for the past 2 days. The rest of the week I just ate what I wanted. I lost too much last week so instead of just eating a little bit more, I just ate what I wanted. Oh well. Totally worth it. Who says food can't buy happiness? (Spoken like a true fat girl.)

Last, but not least, I'm making progess on our new bedroom quilt. Here it is so far, Ryan's holding it up side ways. There's still about 12 or so more rows to add onto it for the top piece:

So yea...that's what we've been up to. We don't have any plans for the weekend, but I'm glad to be at home. I am having a slight urge to redecorate or reorganize something. We shall see! Have a good weekend.

-Ms. 246

I can sew anything!

Okay, I know I definitely can't sew everything, but I feel like I can. Why, you ask? Because dearest Mr. 246 spoiled me this Christmas. He got me this:

A new sewing machine! Not just any sewing machine -- a Brother cs6000i. Allow me to geek out for a moment: It has SIXTY stitches. It's quiet! It's light! I can do free-motion quilting! I can do quilting, period. It came with a walking foot even! It even came with the large table addition thingy (like above) AND a case! You can even change the max speeds so your stitching is even! And change your stitch length and width with a touch of a button! (Do I sound like a commercial yet?) I'll quit rambling about it. You can read more here at Amazon.

So, of course I had to try it out all the stitches immediately (except button holes, 'cause I'm scared of those still):

I can't get enough of all the decorative stitching. So wonderful. Of course I wanted to run out and buy a ton of stuff to sew but after looking at a stack of fabric I bought without any purpose (and still hadn't put away) I decided I needed to use up some of my stash so I practiced making my quilt lines and binding by making Luna another blankie. (Because 4 kajillion isn't enough for one child.)

It's just two pieces of flannel. I used a piece of fleece for the batting and I kind of like how that turned out. It's super warm, but of course it needs to be worked in. I might keep it around to sell or give as a gift since Luna has so many blankets already.

I decided my first real project will be a quilt for our bed. One of my unofficial goals for 2013 is to redecorate our room. (Well, actually just decorate it since we haven't.) Here's a pic I found from Pinterest that I'm kinda going for:

Image credit: click here.

Here are some of the fabrics I picked up today (I'll also be supplementing from my stash.):

I can't get enough of the folksy fabric, or the peacock fabric. This quilt is going to be wonderful! Mr. 246 and I have decided we're done with anything matchy-matchy and will be likening our abode to "The Burrow" from Harry Potter and I couldn't be more pleased.

Another thing I'm working on:

A Mario crossstitch. Who knows if I'll ever be finished. In the end it should look like this, but I forgot how long crossstitch takes. I proposed it for an OWL for the Harry Potter Craftalong, but I'm half tempted to abandon it. I suppose I could keep trucking along at a snails pace. It only takes me so long 'cause I can't sit and cross stitch forever. It makes me go a bit cross-eyed after a while.

So yea...that's what I've been up to. I have to go back to work Wednesday but I'm pretending this vacation will last forever. What's Mr. 246 and Lunabean been up to while I've been having all this crafty fun? Looking cute, as always:

Goodnight!
Ms. 246